Transitioning from PFL back to disability - Can I extend my existing SDI claim?

You'll need to file a new disability claim after your PFL ends. When you transition from SDI to PFL, the original disability claim effectively closes. You can't just extend the previous claim because the system treats them as separate benefit periods. Make sure your doctor is ready to complete a new medical certification form (DE 2501) as soon as your PFL ends. Start the new SDI application process about 5-7 days before your PFL ends to avoid gaps in payment. You'll need to explain that this is for the same medical condition but a new claim period.

i had the exact same situation!!! went from disability to pfl then had to go BACK on disability bc complications. yes u need to file a whole new claim they wont just let u continue the old one. its super annoying

I work in HR and deal with this often. The previous comments are correct - you must file a new SDI claim after your PFL period ends. However, there's good news: the 7-day waiting period is WAIVED if you file this new disability claim within 60 days of your previous disability or PFL claim. The system recognizes it as a related condition. Make sure when filing your new claim you indicate it's related to your previous pregnancy/childbirth disability. Your doctor should reference the ongoing nature of your medical condition on the certification form to ensure smooth processing.

Just wondering why you switched to PFL in the middle of your disability claim if you were still disabled? Most people use up all their disability first and then use PFL after. Did your doctor say you were recovered enough to stop disability?

I spent 3 HOURS on hold with EDD last week trying to get an answer about this exact situation!!! Their phone system is an absolute nightmare - kept disconnecting me after waiting forever. Finally, I found Claimyr (claimyr.com) which got me through to an actual EDD representative in about 20 minutes. They have a video showing how it works: https://youtu.be/1X-mEsLtbmQ?si=1hcSq3KFtCr4oAmd The EDD rep confirmed what others have said here - you have to file a new claim, but the waiting period should be waived if it's within 60 days and for the same or related condition. Make sure to get your doctor to clearly indicate it's a continuation of your pregnancy complications.

does anyone know if she can get both? like part time PFL and part time disability at the same time? my sister did something like that i think

The SAME THING happened to me in 2024 and it was a DISASTER!! I filed a new claim after PFL like everyone said I should but EDD rejected it saying I needed "new medical evidence" that this wasn't just continuing the same condition!!! My doctor had to write a whole detailed letter explaining how my condition had actually WORSENED during PFL! The system is BROKEN and designed to deny valid claims! Start the new application process AT LEAST 2 WEEKS before your PFL ends and be prepared to FIGHT for what you deserve!!

To answer your question about the waiting period: If your new disability claim is filed within 60 days of your PFL claim ending AND it's for the same or related condition as your original disability claim, the 7-day waiting period should be waived. Make sure to reference your previous claim number on your new application and have your doctor clearly state it's a continuation of the same medical condition that hasn't resolved.

If ur doc says ur still disabled just do the disability again. thats what my cousin did and it worked fine for her

One important tip about the new SDI claim after PFL - make sure your doctor uses very specific medical terminology and diagnosis codes on the new certification form. My doctor's first certification was rejected for being "too vague" even though it was obviously the same condition. The second certification with more detailed medical language was approved immediately. The EDD medical review team seems to be getting stricter about documentation in 2025.

To summarize what you need to do: 1. File a new SDI claim about 5-7 days before your PFL ends (around December 25-27) 2. Make sure your doctor submits a detailed medical certification clearly linking this to your previous disability 3. Reference your previous claim numbers (both SDI and PFL) on your new application 4. No new waiting period will apply if filed within 60 days for the same/related condition 5. If your claim is denied or delayed, call EDD immediately - don't wait I hope your recovery goes smoothly!

I went through this exact transition last year and want to add one more important tip - when you file your new SDI claim, make sure to select "continuation of previous disability" if that option appears on the application. Also, keep copies of ALL your medical records from your original disability claim because sometimes EDD will ask for them again even though they should already have them in your file. The good news is that once you get through the initial application process, payments typically start within 2-3 weeks if everything is properly documented. Don't let the horror stories scare you too much - most cases go smoothly when you follow the right steps!

I'm in a very similar situation right now - currently on PFL after switching from SDI for pregnancy complications, and my doctor is saying I'll need to continue disability after PFL ends. Reading through all these responses has been incredibly helpful! One question I have - for those who successfully transitioned back to SDI after PFL, did you experience any delays in getting your first payment? I'm worried about having a gap in income even if I file the new claim before my PFL ends. Also, did anyone have issues with EDD questioning why you switched from disability to PFL in the first place if you were still dealing with medical complications? Thank you all for sharing your experiences - this community has been more helpful than my HR department!

I went through this exact situation in 2023 and want to share some additional tips that really helped me. First, when you file your new SDI claim, make sure to include a personal statement explaining the timeline - that you had complications from childbirth, were initially on SDI, switched to PFL for bonding time, but your medical condition never fully resolved and has now worsened. Second, ask your doctor to include specific details about how your condition has either persisted or worsened since your original disability claim. This helped differentiate my case from just trying to extend an old claim. Third, I recommend calling EDD the day after you submit your new claim to confirm they received it and ask about estimated processing times. I know their phone system is terrible, but it's worth the wait to get confirmation. The whole process took about 3 weeks for me from filing to first payment, and I didn't have any gap in income because I filed 10 days before my PFL ended. The waiting period was waived as others mentioned. Hang in there - it's stressful but definitely doable!

I'm going through the exact same transition right now and this thread has been incredibly helpful! I'm currently on PFL after switching from SDI for postpartum complications, and my doctor just confirmed I'll need to continue disability for at least another 6-8 weeks after PFL ends. Reading everyone's experiences, it sounds like the key steps are: 1) File the new SDI claim about a week before PFL ends, 2) Have your doctor be very specific about it being a continuation of pregnancy-related complications, and 3) Reference your previous claim numbers on the application. I'm still nervous about potential delays or denials, but it's reassuring to see so many people have successfully navigated this process. Has anyone had experience with EDD being more strict about these continuation claims in 2025? I keep hearing they're getting tougher on approvals this year. Thank you all for sharing your stories - this community support means so much when dealing with EDD's confusing system!

I just wanted to chime in as someone who works as a benefits coordinator and sees these cases regularly. Everyone here has given great advice! One additional tip I'd add is to make sure your doctor includes the specific ICD-10 diagnosis codes on the new medical certification form - this helps EDD's automated review system process your claim faster. Also, if you're worried about income gaps, check if your employer offers any short-term disability benefits that might bridge any potential delays. Some employers will advance pay while waiting for EDD approval, especially if you've been a good employee dealing with legitimate medical complications. The transition from PFL back to SDI after pregnancy complications is actually more common than people think, so don't feel like you're doing anything wrong by needing this continuation of care. Your health and recovery should be the priority!

I'm currently going through this exact transition and wanted to share what I learned from my EDD caseworker last week. She confirmed that you absolutely need to file a new SDI claim after PFL ends - there's no way to "reactivate" your previous claim. However, she emphasized something that hasn't been mentioned much here: make sure your doctor dates the new medical certification to start the day AFTER your PFL ends, not before. If there's any overlap in dates, it can cause processing delays. Also, I'd recommend calling EDD's technical support line (not the regular claims line) at 1-800-300-5616 to verify your claim was received. This line typically has shorter wait times and they can confirm your application is in the system without discussing claim details. One last tip - if you have any pregnancy-related medical appointments or treatments scheduled during your PFL period, make sure those are documented in your medical records. It helps establish the ongoing nature of your condition when you file the new disability claim. Good luck with your recovery and the application process!

Just went through this exact transition two months ago and wanted to share my experience! Like everyone else said, you definitely need to file a new SDI claim - they won't reactivate your old one. Here's what worked for me: I filed my new claim exactly 7 days before my PFL ended and made sure my doctor's certification was SUPER detailed about how my postpartum complications had persisted and actually gotten worse during PFL. I also wrote a brief personal statement explaining that I had switched to PFL thinking I'd recover, but my condition deteriorated. The waiting period was waived since it was within 60 days and related to my original pregnancy disability. I got my first payment about 2.5 weeks after filing, so there was only a small gap. One thing I wish someone had told me - keep checking your EDD account online obsessively because sometimes they need additional info and the notifications don't always work properly. I almost missed a request for more medical documentation that would have delayed everything. Stay strong mama, the process is stressful but you'll get through it! Your health comes first. 💪